AAV2/9-mediated gene transfer into murine lacrimal gland leads to a long-term targeted tear film modification

• Published in: Molecular therapy. Methods & clinical development 2022-12, Vol.27, p.1-16
• Main Authors: Gautier, Benoit, Meneux, Léna, Feret, Nadège, Audrain, Christine, Hudecek, Laetitia, Kuony, Alison, Bourdon, Audrey, Le Guiner, Caroline, Blouin, Véronique, Delettre, Cécile, Michon, Frédéric
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AAV; cornea; Human health and pathology; lacrimal gland; Life Sciences; NGF; Original; tear film
• ISSN: 2329-0501; 2329-0501
• DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.08.006

Corneal blindness is the fourth leading cause of blindness worldwide. Since corneal epithelium is constantly renewed, non-integrative gene transfer cannot be used to treat corneal diseases. In many of these diseases, the tear film is defective. Tears are a complex biological fluid secreted by the lacrimal apparatus. Their composition is modulated according to the context. After a corneal wound, the lacrimal gland secretes reflex tears, which contain growth factors supporting the wound healing process. In various pathological contexts, the tear composition can support neither corneal homeostasis nor wound healing. Here, we propose to use the lacrimal gland as bioreactor to produce and secrete specific factors supporting corneal physiology. In this study, we use an AAV2/9-mediated gene transfer to supplement the tear film. First, we demonstrate that a single injection of AAV2/9 is sufficient to transduce all epithelial cell types of the lacrimal gland efficiently and widely. Second, we detect no adverse effect after AAV2/9-mediated nerve growth factor expression in the lacrimal gland. Only a transitory increase in tear flow is measured. Remarkably, AAV2/9 induces an important and long-lasting secretion of this growth factor in the tear film. Altogether, our findings provide a new clinically applicable approach to tackle corneal blindness. [Display omitted] The cornea, the transparent surface of the eye, requires a proper microenvironment to maintain its transparency. The lacrimal gland was used as bioreactor, by injecting an AAV2/9-CAG-NGF in it, to modify the tear film for several months. This promising strategy could be applied in different corneal disorders.